HC Deb 24 June 1924 vol 175 cc403-4

Order for Second Reading read.

Mr. WEBB

I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

This Bill has passed through all its stages in another place after examination by the legal luminaries there.

Sir G. HOHLER

On a point of Order. I go to the. Vote Office and ask what business is going to be taken and the only Bill I am presented with is the London Traffic Bill. I had then to go and ask for the Administration of Justice Bill. I wish to call attention to the fact that the Bills we are called on to deal with are not presented to us, and we are therefore unable to ascertain exactly the nature of the business that is being done.

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. and learned Member has no need to go to the Vote Office. The whole business before the House is on the Paper, and is constantly before the House.

Mr. WEBB

This Bill has been brought in in order to ratify a Convention which has been come to between various nations. It is to give effect to a Protocol on arbitration clauses signed on behalf of His Majesty at a meeting of the Assembly of the League of Nations held in September, 1923. It provides for the staying of Court proceedings in respect of matters referred to arbitration under agreements between nationals of different States, parties to the Convention. We are now asked to ratify the Convention and to make an amendment of our own law in accordance therewith. The proposal has received the approval of many Chambers of Commerce and of many commercial Members of this House—

Mr. BALFOUR

What does the right hon. Gentleman mean by "commercial Members of this House"?

Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSON

I feel that the explanation given of this Bill is not adequate to its importance, and I should like to ask the right hon. Gentleman how many nations who have signed the agreement have ratified the Convention and proceeded with the necessary legislation to put it in force?

Mr. WEBB

I cannot give an answer to that question. This is a Protocol which has been accepted by the nations concerned, and we should be among the first to ratify it. Somebody must begin to do it. This Bill was introduced and passed through another place, and I now ask this House to let it go upstairs so that it can be examined.

The remaining Orders were read, and postponed.

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